Quiet in Her Bones

By: Nalini Singh

Narrated by: Raj Varma

Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this gripping thriller set in New Zealand, New York Times best-selling author Nalini Singh takes you into the twisted world of an exclusive cul-de-sac located on the edge of a sprawling forest.

My mother vanished ten years ago.
So did a quarter of a million dollars in cash.
Thief. Bitch. Criminal.
Now, she's back.
Her bones clothed in scarlet silk.

When socialite Nina Rai disappeared without a trace, everyone wrote it off as another trophy wife tired of her wealthy husband. But now her bones have turned up in the shadowed green of the forest that surrounds her elite neighborhood, a haven of privilege and secrets that’s housed the same influential families for decades. 

The rich live here, along with those whose job it is to make their lives easier. And somebody knows what happened to Nina one rainy night 10 years ago. Her son Aarav heard a chilling scream that night, and he’s determined to uncover the ugly truth that lives beneath the moneyed elegance...but no one is ready for the murderous secrets about to crawl out of the dark. 

Even the dead aren’t allowed to break the rules in this cul-de-sac.

©2021 Nalini Singh (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"Nervy and unsettling noir [with] a legitimately and believably unreliable narrator." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Singh perfectly conveys the sleek architecture amid an unforgiving New Zealand forest...an unsettling thriller that deserves a wide audience." (Booklist) 

“Singh sustains tension throughout, delivering a lushly written, multilayered mystery that will keep readers guessing. Susan Isaacs fans, take note.” (Publishers Weekly) 

Unpretentious craftsmanship

Singh has crafted a well plotted and well written story that showcases her creativity and growth as a writer to be respected.
I don’t know if it was because the main character was male, but I just didn’t connect with him. Any story that can make me fall in love with, or identify with, the primary characters gets extra recognition from me.
Varma as narrator was a great match for the character and story.

Not for me

The book is well written as it is expected from Nalini Singh’s books. The story was just not for me.

It got too convoluted at points, with so many important interactions that sometimes made difficult to keep track of who was whom.

Please don’t let my less that stellar review keep you from reading/listening to this story.

It was my first time listening to the narrator, and it was an enjoyable listen.

Quiet in Her Bones(bws)

Not what I was used to from Nalini Singh. I didn’t understand the structure . some of the relationships and the transcription sessions confused me. There were some surprises like pairing Avie with Lilly. For me there were too many so what and who cares moments. The situation with loss of Paige wasn’t clear early enough in the story.

Please Ms. Singh - I want my $$ back!

I LOVE the Archangel and Changling series - imaginative, engaging, spirited, beautifully written. I have consistently awarded 4-5 stars on each one.
This book, however is an insult; an insult to us readers who have (until now) given Ms Singh our unceasing loyalty. Well... no more - there are $.99 selections in Kindle’s Mystery/Thriller section that are significantly better. The book’s attempt at “who done it” fails completely. The plot is boring, unimaginative, and the writing is so mediocre! NOTHING like what Ms Singh gives us in her paranormal/fantasy series. In addition to it dragging on and on and on, the entire plot hastily wraps up in the last few pages! The narrator, Ram Varma, is gifted and he does his best with the words he’s been given.

Not my favorite

I am a huge Nalini Singh fan, but this is my least favorite of all her books. The story bounces back-and-forth between characters, between time periods, and between periods of reality and hallucination, which I found confusing. I also just didn’t particularly like the central character. Considering how much I love the rest of Nalini’s work this certainly doesn’t deter me from future purchases. She can’t please everyone all the time.

Enjoyed this Author in the Past - NOT this one

Past Singh books have been a great combo of mystery + characters. This is neither. I couldn't even finish it. Main character is a nasty wimp. Plotline tries to cleverly jump around like a Kate Atkinson book but fails miserably. Assumptions that all rich people are bad, all poor people are good, and they can never be friends with each other. Saving grace is the narrator is fine.

Riveting

Book was riveting. Nalini Singh pulls you in all the while wondering what the truth really is. Narration was perfect. I felt like I was meeting the characters and liked them. Who done it. Great twist. Author please write your next book quickly.

Twist and Turns...

Absolutely loved this story. Nalini at her finest. Yhis is a murder mystery, wrapped in a love story, intertwined with a neighborhood a fun, crazy, and dedicated neighbors. wasn't expecting not being able to put the book down, but I should have known with Nalini Singh. We should always expect to be enveloped in the story to a point where you can't wait to get to the end but you don't want it to end.

Great Book if you like mysteries....

I struggled to finish because I don't. Not what I expected from author. Great narration.

A wonderful mystery right to the end!

I was glued to this from the moment I turned it on. There were so many characters and scenes to sort through in my mind to guess at who could have done it. Great story and I loved the plot shift - thinking about all the potential endings. I love this writer. I will be reading more of Nalini Singh's work. I am thrilled to have a new favorite author!! Narration was spot on. I really bonded with all the characters and their roles.